Cultivator tool-bar connection



Ma ch 24, 1953 Filed June 28, 1947 w. H. SILVER CULTIVATOR TOOL-BAR CONNECTION 2 SHEETS-SHEET 1 INVENTOR. WALTER H. SILVER ORNEYS March 24, 1953 Filed June 28, 1947 W. H. SILVER CULTIVATOR TOOL-BAR CONNECTION 2 SHEETS-SHEET 2 INVENTOR R H. SILVE R fiatenteci Mar. 2 4,

CULTIVATOR TOOL-BAR CONNECTION Walter H. Silver, Moline, Ill., assignor to Deere & Company, Moline, 111., a corporation of Illinois Application June .28, 1947, Serial No. 757,867

15 Claims.

This application is a continuation-in-part of my co-pending United States application, Serial No. 484,285, filed April 23, 1943, now abandoned, which is a division of my United States application, Serial No. 436,708, filed March 28, 1942, now U. S. Patent 2,385,950, dated October "2, 1945.

The object and general nature of the present invention is the provision of a new and improved connection between a tool or tool means and its support. Particularly, it is one object of this invention to provide new and improved connections, especially adapted for mounting earth working tools on the tool bar of a cultivator or other agricultural implement. Specifically, it is one feature of this invention to provide connections arranged so that under certain conditions the tool may move relative to the tool bar generally about the axis of the latter. More specifically, it is a feature of this invention to provide connections that accommodate the disposition of the tool in different positions generally about the axis of the tool bar.

Still further, another feature of this invention is the provision of improved connecting means between the ground working tools and the tool bar of the implement frame, so constructed and arranged as to allow for a certain amount of flexibility in the connection, in addition to the aforesaid provision for adju-stability. If desired, the feature of flexibility may be retained and the feature of adjustability may be eliminated, or vice versa. Particularly, according to the present invention, the connections may be constructed to include semi-spherical clamping means, especially where stiff shank sweeps are used, to provide for adjusting the tools about the axis of the tool bar. Another feature of this invention is the provision of similar adjustable connections between the tool bar and its support, which may be a wheel frame or the like, whereby all of a plurality of tools may be adjusted simultaneously.

These and other objects and advantages of the present invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art after a consideration of the following description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which the preferred form of the invention has been illustrated.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a side view of a tool bar cultivator in which the principles of the present invention have been incorporated.

Figure 2 is an enlarged fragmentary end view of the preferred mounting for a spring tooth tool;

Figure 3 is a View taken generally along the line 3-3 of Figure 2;

Figure 4 is a view similar to Figure 3 but with certain parts in reversed position, whereby the position of the tool may be changed, as to accommodate a raised or lowered hitch point;

Figure 5 is a View showing an adjustable mounting which is preferred for a stiff shank tool;

Figure 6 is a sectional view taken generally along the line 6-6 of Figure 5;

Figure '7 shows a modified form of the present invention, in which the tool bar connection with the main frame includes an adjustable mounting; and.

Figure 8 is a fragmentary perspective view showing the adustable connection for one of the frame braces.

Referring now to the drawings, more particularly to Figure 1, the present invention has been illustrated as embodied in a tool bar cultivator of the towed type and is indicated in its entirety by the reference numeral I. The implement I comprises, in general, a laterally disposed frame which is made up of a forwardly extending hitch frame 2 and a transversely disposed tool bar 3 which is polygonal in cross section. The hitch frame 2 includes a pair of bars 5 and 6, the rear portions of which extend in laterally spaced generaliy parallel relation while the forward portions converge forwardly and receive a pair of hitch plates or clevis jaws l which are secured to the bars 5 and 6 by bolts 9. The plates 7 are generally triangular in configuration and have forward parallel portions la which are provided with a plurality of apertures II in which a draft bolt [2 may be placed in different positions. A draft clevis I3 is mounted on the bolt I2 and extends forwardly and is connected with a drawbar of a tractor or other source of power. The rear ends of the hitch frame members 5 and 6 are secured, as by bolts or the like, to a pair of plates ll that are welded in laterally spaced relation to the tool bar 3. The latter is reenforced by diagonal braces l9. For other details of the tool frame reference may be had to the patent application identified above.

The tool bar 3 is adapted to receive cultivating tools of various kinds. For example, in Figure 1 I have shown the tool bar 3 as receiving a plurality of spring teeth connected with the tool bar 3 and each having a ground working sweep. These tools and the manner in which they are adapted to be connected to the tool bar 3 will now be described. Each spring tooth is indicated by the reference numeral 25 and includes a forwardly extending attaching section 26, a coil spring section 21, and the downwardly extending tool receiving section 28. A sweep 29 is secured, as by bolts 30, to the lower end of the tool receiving section 28. The attaching section 26 of each spring tooth carries a boss 3| (Figure 3) at its forward end that is adapted to.

3 socket 35 adapted to fit against the under side of the tool bar 3. The member 34 has a downturned end 37 adapted to bear against the upper edge of the spring tooth section 25. The other end of the member 34 extends downwardly at an angle, terminating in a section 33 that extends along the attaching section 23 for a short distance. A U-bolt 39 serves to clamp the section 38 to the spring tooth section '25, the U-bolt 39 extending through apertures in the plate 33.

The latter is provided with apertures in the central portion thereof to receive the ends of a pair of U-bolts 4i and 42 that embrace the tool bar 3 and extend downwardly on opposite sides of the spring member 35 and the attaching section 26 of the spring tooth 25. Each of the U- bolts, which serves as a clamping member, is formed to fit the upper side of the tool bar 3, as shown in Figures 3 and 4. Nuts 43 and 33 are disposed onthe ends of the u-bolts 5i and 32 and serve to clamp the associated spring tooth to the tool bar 3 firmly and substantially rigidly except for the cushioning action that is provided by the member 33, as will be referred to below. The disposition of the boss 3! in the opening 32 of the plate 33 serves to prevent longitudinal displacement of the spring tooth relative to the plate 33 and the tool bar 3. 7

Another form of tool that may be attached to the tool bar 3 is the stiff shank sweep, and referring now to Figures 5 and 6, which show the attachment of one of such tools to the tool bar 3, the sweep is indicated by the reference numeral 5i and includes a standard 52 which is attachable toa sweep beam 53. A clamp casting 56 is secured, as by bolts 51 and 58, to the horizontal portion of the beam 53. One portion of the clamp casting 56 is formed as an arcuate section SI and is adapted to receive asaddle member 59 having side flanges 53. The outer or lower surface of the saddle member 59 is arcuate and is adapted to fit against the arcuate portion 61 f the clamp casting 56 so as to provide for a certain amount of adjustment of the. saddle member 59 about an axis that passes through the center of curvature of the arcuate portions, this axis, as shown in Figure 5, coinciding with the axis of the tool bar 3. The upper or inner portion of the saddle member 53 is formed with a socket 63 to receive the lower portion of thetool bar 3. An upper clamp casting 65 having a socket 65 fitting against the upper portion of the tool bar 3 is connected by clamping bolts 51 to the lower clamp casting 56, the heads of the bolts 61 being loosely received, as at 68, by the casting 56. Thus, when the bolts are tight-' cried, the upper clamp casting 55 and the sad-.

dle member 53 are firmly and rigidly clamped to the tool bar 3, but when the bolts 61 are loosened, the tool may be adjusted relative to the'tool bar 3, generally about the longitudinal axis of the latter. beam 53 as extending generally rearwardly with respect to the tool bar, but if desired another beam 53a, which is similar to the beam 53 but with its' sweep-receiving section extended for wardly, maybe mounted on the bar 3 in between adjacent beams 53, thus providing-a staggered relation, similar to the arrangement of the sweepsin Figure '1.

It will be noted from Figures 3 and 4 that the cushioning member 34 and the associated plate 33 maybe disposed in either of two positions.

Itwill also be seen that the notch 35 is so formed that in one position the tool is disposed at a position of the tool when the plate 33 and cusliioning member 34 are reversed. In being moved from one angular position to the other, the tool is shifted generally about the axis of the tool bar 3. The end of the plate 33 adjacent the U- bolt 39 is provided centrally with an opening 3211 (Figure 2) to receive the lug 3| (Figure 3) when the parts are arranged as shown in Figure 4. This construction, in which the parts 33 and 34 may be reversed (Figures 3 and 4) to dispose the sections 26 at slightly difierent angles rela- In Figure 5, I have shown the tive to the tool bar 3, makes it possible to adjust the implement for diiferent heights of hitch points or other conditions. Similarly, the position of the tools may be varied, when the construction shown in Figures 5 and 6 is employed, by loosening the clamping bjolts'fil andshifting, the tools angularly about the tool bar's.

In Figures 5 and 6 the tools are clampedrigidly to the tool bar 3, but in Figures 3 and 4','a lim ited amount of cushioned action is provided for: This action is substantially as follows. The soil pressure against the tooth 25 (Figure l) tends to cause the plate 33 and spring34 to move a clockwise direction about the tool bar understood, this action/takes pI acemc-re o'r less about the forwardmost edge of the tool bar. as; an axis, which results in springing the central portion of the part 34 downwardly and at the same time tending to shift'the spring 33, gen? erally longitudinally along the spring tooth sec; tion 25. This is accommodatedby' the provision of a small amount of space, indicated at sin Figure 3, between the central portion of the, part 33 and the adjacent part of the attac ing; section 25. The amount ofYyi'eld isfof course, slight but in practice has proven sufficient to eliminate breakage of the spring tooth sections 25 adjacent the point wheretheyare clamped in place.

Referring now to Figures? and 8, in this form of the invention the tool bar 3 is connected with the main support or hitch frame 29, which is.

substantially the same as the hitch frame- ZJde-j scribed above with certain minor changes, by;

means which provides foradjustment ofthepo sition of the tool bar relative to its support, ratherv than adjusting each individual tool relative tothe tool bar, whereby all of the tools maywherg desired be adjusted simultaneously. 6f course,

to a plate 73 that is apertured to receive the bolts '22. Each plate 13 is provided with an, arcuate section 14 having apertured ears [5 and. forming a generally U-shaped part whichfis rigidly secured, as by welding, to the rear edge of the plate 13, which is suitably shaped to receive the arcuate member 15., Clamping bolts;

13 extend through the openings 17 in the apertured ears i5. A saddle member 85, which may. be identical with the saddle member 59 described above, is providedwith an outer generally cylindrical-surface 8| and end flanges. 82 which engage 'with. a fair degreeof snugness the ends 'of the arcuate; member It, whereby-the parts nest together, as." best shown in Figure '7.'- The opposite side of each saddle member tit-is provided with a. socket,

The rear end 0t; each of the frame bars II is bolted, asat 12,,

85 to receive the tool bar 3, and the parts are so arranged that when the socket member is adjusted in the member 84, the bar 83 and saddle member 3% are shifted generally about the axis of the bar 3 as a center. An outer clamp mem ber 81 is formed with a socket 38 to receive the other side of the tool bar 3, and the clamping member 8? has apertured ears 39 to receive the outer ends of the clamping bolts l5. Preferably, the apertures st in the clamping cap 87 receive the bolts it with sufiicient looseness to accommodate the desired amount of shifting of the tool bar 3 and the associated saddle member 89 relative to the frame 2a, which may readily be done by loosening one clamping bolt '16 and tightening the other until the desired adjustment is secured. It will be noted that in effecting the adjustment just mentioned, all tools that are connected with the tool bar 3 are simultaneously adjusted.

Like the frame 2, shown in Figure 1, the frame 2a is provided with reenforcing braces which are indicated by the reference numeral i911 in Figure 8. The forward ends of these braces are connected to the frame bars in the same way as they are connected in the form of the invention shown in Figures 1 et al., but the rear end of each of these brace members is connected with the bar in such a way as to provide for the rocking of the tool bar 3 relative to the frame, as described above. Accordingly, the rear end of each of the brace bars i9a carries a pair of bolts 96 which are respectively disposed in a pair of slots 9? and 98 formed in an attaching lug 99 that is welded to the tool bar S at each side of the connection of the main frame therewith. I'hus, by loosening the bolts 96, the bar 3 may readily be adjusted relative to the frame 2a in the manner set forth above, and after the adjustment has been made, the bolts 96 are retightened, thus rigidly securing the brace bar to the tool bar.

Where provision is made, as described above, for adjusting the position of the tool bar 3 relative to the main frame or support 2a, the raising and lowering rockshafts, together with brackets and other parts therefor, must therefore be mounted on the tool bar 3 so as to be capable of movement relative to the frame to which the bar 3 is adjustably connected. Accordingly, I mount a pair of bearing brackets II I, one on each side of the frame bars I I, and fixedly secure the same to the tool bar 3, preferably by welding. Each bracket ill includes bearing means Ht to receive the inner end of the associated rockshaft M2, by which the carrying wheels of the implement may be raised or lowered, as described in detail in the patent identified above. Also, the bracket l l l carries a sector H3 over which an adjusting hand lever H4, that is fixed to the inner portion of the rockshaft I2, is moved in shifting the rockshaft H2 and the associated raising and lowering arms. Thus, when adjusting the position of the tool bar 3 relative to the frame 211, the hand levers H4, the rockshafts H2, and associated parts move bodily with the tool bar. In this way, for example, the front end of the hitch frame may be raised or lowered relative to the tools or other parts, as desired.

While I have shown and described above the preferred structure in which the principles of the present invention have been incorporated, it is to be understood that my invention is not to be limited to the particular details shown and described above, but that, in fact, widely different means may be employed in the practice, of the broader aspects of my invention.

What I claim, therefore, and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

i. In an agricultural machine, a tool bar of polygonal cross section, a tool to be fixed thereto, a clamping member formed to fit one side of said tool bar in non-rotatable relation, means connecting said tool with the other side of the tool bar accommodating rotation of the tool relative to the tool bar about an axis, and a pair of clamping bolt means disposed at opposite sidesv of said tool bar and connecting said tool and clamping member whereby loosening one bolt means and tightening the other serve to adjust the position of the tool relative to the tool bar.

2. In an agricultural machine, a tool bar of polygonal cross section, a tool to be fixed thereto, a clamping member formed to fit one side of said tool bar in non-rotatable relation, means connecting said tool with the other side of the tool bar accommodating limited rotation of the tool relative to the tool bar, said means including a resilient cushioning member, and means cooperating with said clamping member for holding said tool and said cushioning member in position on said tool bar.

3. In an agriculture machine, a tool bar of polygonal cross section, a tool to be fixed thereto, a clamping member formed to fit one side of said tool bar in non-rotatable relation and extending beyond the other side of said tool bar, a resilient member shaped to fit the other side of said tool bar and having ends engaging said tool, and a clamping plate receiving the ends of said clamping member at said other side of the tool bar and cooperating with said clamping member for holding said resilient member and said tool on said tool bar.

. 4. In an agricultural machine, a tool bar of polygonal cross section, a tool to be fixed thereto, a U-bolt having its intermediate portion formed to fit one side of said tool bar in nonrotatable relation and extending beyond the other side of the tool bar, said tool including a. transverse section, a clamping plate having aper-. tures to receive the ends of said U-bolt, Where-. by tightening the latter acts through said platefor clamping the tool in position, said tool section and plate having cooperating lug and recess means adjacent the ends of said plate and tool section for holding said tool and plate member against relative displacement, and a resilient member disposed between the other side of said tool bar and said clamping plate and having an end acting against said plate adjacent said lug and recess means.

5. An agricultural machine comprising a frame including a transverse tool bar of non-circular section, a tool adapted to be clamped to said bar, a pair of mating parts having meeting surfaces formed generally as surfaces of revolution, one of said parts being formed to fit against said bar and the other against said tool, whereby the latter may be adjusted angularly about the bar, a clamping member engageable with said tool bar, and means adjustably fixing said clamping member to said tool so as to hold vthe latter against movement relative to said tool bar.

6. In an agricultural machine, a tool bar of polygonal cross section, a tool to be fixed thereto, a clamping member formed to fit one side of the tool bar, and means disposed between the other side .of said tool bar and said tool, saidmeans including a resilient member formed to fit the under side of said tool bar and'toaccomt i. t 1 mutate a limited means of movement of saidtool relative te said tool bad 71 In an" agricultural machine; a tool bar of polygonal cross section, a too wide fixed there-- to, a clamping member formed to fit one side of the: toolbar; and iileans" disposed between the other side of said tool bar and said tool, said means accommodating a limited amount of rotation of-the tool'relative' to the tool bar giieial 1y: aboutthe axis of thelatter, said means i'r'ieluding a pair of semi-cylindrical members; one fitting'the' underside of said tool bar and-theother secured tosaid tool, movement of one of said semi-cylindrical members relative to the other serving to accommodate a-limited amount of movement of said tool relative to' said tool bar.-

anagric'iiltdral machine; a tO'l" Iii a r 61' polygonal cross" section; a to'ol'to befixed were: to; means: connecting said tool with the" under 3 side Oftlie toei-baraccommodatinglimited r6 tiGIi 0f the-tool relativ to th 17091 bad, saidiiieans includin a-r'e'silie'rit cushioning member the eiids- Of WIiiCh' ehg'a'g said tco'rand the intermediate portiz'm of Wine-1' engages- 5am tool bar and IiQrIZi'QJI-I-Y out of engagement with" said tool, afid means for holding said tdola'n'd said cushioning member in po'sitidn fiifisidtbol bar.

9; In allagfiddltlfial machine', a 'tbol' h aff of polygonal cross-section, a tool to befix'e'dthereto; 39 a resilient mernbershapedto fit one side of said tool ba-r"and having 'ends' engaging said tool, the intermediate portion of said resilient member being out of engagement With'said tool, and meansfor clampingsa'id tool baragainst saidniemb'ef 5 and' the ends of thef-la-tter against said tool.

10 anagiicu-ltiiral ir'r'ipler'nent, a tool ha? of polygonal-crosssection; a tool to be connected" to said bar and movabierelative' to said bar, a clamping member having a socket on its lower 49 side- -andad'aptedfto"-receive the upper side ofsaidtool barjsaid socket-being constructed so as to fitsnugly against-'saicl' upper side of thetl'odi bar; whereby said clamping member held" against moverhnt relativetd-said tool" bar trans j versely of thelatter, means disposed between t e lower sideoifsaid tocr barand said tool an i cludinga' first semmnmavmg a socket on its upper *side and adapted t'o' r'eceive' the lowei" side ofsaiil bar, and" a"second"sctiofimovablerel tive to said first section and en'gaging anfd 'mov- V able'with said tool relative to said tool bar; an means for holding said clamping member, said" sections' andtool on said tool bar. I p

11. In an agricultural implement; ato'ol 'bar of polygonal cross'section; a tool to be connected to said bar and movable relative to said bar,"a"c1amp-'" in member having a socket on one sidefahd adapted to" receive" one side" of said tool bar,

said socketbeing constructed so as to fit snugly against said one side of the tool bar; w'here'by'said clamping member'is held against movement'rl'a tiveto said tool bar'transversely of the latter] means disposed between the other side offsaid toolbar and said tool and including a firstfsec -j tion having a socket on one side and adapt'df t6 'r'eceivesaid'other'si'deofsaid bar and a secondf section movable rlativetdsaid first sectionand engaging" and movable with said tool relative to" said tool-bar. 7 12 In a d-agriculturalimplement,-a toolbar 'of polygonal-cross -section,- apart adapted to be" connected in adjustably fixed relation -with-respect to-said tool: bar, a clamping member havingm socket on one side and adapted-to-receivc side" ofsaid soiirgonai tow bar; said sadkt being constructed so as'to fit snugly against said one side of the tool bar; wh'e'i'ehv said clamping member is held against movement relative to said tool bag transversely of the latter, means dis posedbetween the other side or said tool bar an sam' srt and including" a first section having a'sbcket' on one side and adaptdto receive said otherside of said tool pay" and a second section Inovable relative tosaid-fi'rst section and fixedly connected with: said part: I V I V 1 3.; In-an agricultural implement, atool bar of pmygam cross section,a part to'v'vhich said tool blariis adapted to be connected, a clamping cap meii ber having 2t" socket on chef side adapted to receive oneside disaid tool bar, means forming an ar'cdate socket In'ovable with s aid' part; a

I member disposed: betweensaid last mention'ed socket and theother sideof said tool bar coinprising a first section having a' socket on one sideadapted to receive said other side ofsaid tool bar and a: second section movable in-the; socketcarried; by said z'ia ift for adjusting the positions of said tool bar' relative to said' part; one-relative to-the' other genei ally about'the'cen terfof' curvature of said arc uatesocket andmeans actingfbetween said partandsaid clamping meme be; for fixing said tool bar and part together dilierent positions of adjustment; V a r 1 i. Th'e inventionse't forth in cla im 1"3; further' characterized by the socket on-said part andsaid second section having mating v surfaces formedgenerally" as surfaces of revolutions about anaxis coinciding with the axis of said polygonal toolbar.

15; In an agricultural machine a toolbar" of polygonal cross section, apartto be fixed thereto; a'clampi'ng member formed to fitfone side of the tool bar, and meansdi's'pose'd between the other side of said'tool baiq'andsaidpart; sammeans accommodating a'liin'ited amount of rotation of the tool bar relative to said part generally about the axis'of the tool bar, said me ns including a pair ofse'rni cylindrical Ineinbers; one having at one side a" socket noIFrotatably" receiving the qtnje; side of' said" we: liar and the other side: being" generally ser'ni-c'yliiidricaland receiving the generallysemi ciilifidiical member, said latter member beingsec red'td saidpart; movement of one of said'semi-cyimaria members relative to the other" serving to accommo ate a liinited airioiiiit of movement 6f said to'ol ba rre'lat'ive t5 saidp'art'. N v

WALTER H. SILVER.

REFERENCES CITED following references are of record in'the' file" of i this patent:

UNITED STATES memes" 

